Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design has merged with the Urban
Institute for Contemporary Arts, Michigan’s largest venue devoted to contemporary
art, continuing Kendall’s expansion in downtown Grand Rapids. With the merger, the
UICA is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kendall. The UICA’s new five-story structure,
which is home to the city’s only downtown film theater, is just a block from Kendall’s
main building.

When Kendall became a part of Ferris in 2000, it had a single building, about 500
students, and a budget of $4 million. Today, Kendall has three buildings for instruction,
exhibition and administration, enrolls more than 1,400 students, and has a budget
in excess of $19 million. Enrollment growth has made physical expansion necessary,
and that expanded campus has been made possible by some innovative partnerships.

The Kendall/UICA merger extends the Kendall campus, maintaining the momentum of the
dedication this past summer of the Woodbridge N. Ferris building (formerly the historic
Grand Rapids Federal Building), which was completely renovated thanks to a public-private
partnership. Key partners included the City of Grand Rapids, the Michigan State Historic
Preservation Office, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the National Park
Service, project developer and construction manager The Christman Company, architectural
firm record Tower Pinkster, historic preservation consultants Hopkins Burns Design
Studio, and interiors and furniture designers Via Design.

A public-private partnership also made possible the construction of new housing opportunities
for Kendall students. From 2004 to 2008, Ferris/Kendall partner Rockford Construction
renovated in phases what became The Lofts at 5 Lyon into student apartments, which
created three contiguous blocks of educational and living space for young artists
and designers. The merger with UICA gives Kendall students the opportunity to live,
study and gain career experience all within a five-block radius of downtown Grand
Rapids.

“We have been fortunate to have partners who recognize the importance of Kendall College
of Art and Design to the vitality of the city of Grand Rapids, and to West Michigan
generally,” Ferris President David Eisler said. “Kendall is a leader in product and
design innovation, and that innovation is helping to fuel the resurgence of the area
economy.”

Timing has been critical in creating Kendall’s unique urban campus. The Beaux Art
Woodbridge N. Ferris Building was built in 1909-11 and vacant for four years after
the Grand Rapids Art Museum moved out of the space when it built a new facility in
2007. In the case of the UICA, the arts organization opened a new $8-million home
on Fulton Street, but the move came during the worst of the economic downturn. With
debts and monthly expenses outpacing its income, the UICA was on a path to closing
its doors until Kendall and a group of area philanthropists stepped in.

“The UICA sits at the heart of the city,” noted KCAD President David Rosen, whose
first-year leadership of Kendall has been marked by this rapid expansion. “That is
appropriate, because the heart of our community is its creativity. UICA provides a
hub for all who thrive in the creative environment. Any city that wants to be great
needs a UICA. It would have been terrible to lose that resource.”

Recent exhibitions have included architecture, sculpture, video, and interactive installations.
Donors’ extraordinary commitment to pay off debt on the new building and the response
of the community to UICA’s mission has made the merger possible.

“A steadfast group of key donors is bringing UICA to its next iteration with Kendall/Ferris,”
said Kate Pew Wolters, one of those key donors and a long-time supporter of UICA.
“Significant donor partnerships and community collaborations in West Michigan have
once again come together to keep and enhance leading-edge arts and culture in the
heart of the city. We would not be in this position today without the help of these
donors and community-minded citizens.”

“Grand Rapids is a growing city with a growing appreciation of, and dependence upon,
its creative culture. Despite the many past accomplishments of both Kendall and the
UICA, today’s announcement is all about looking forward and embracing the possibilities
this new partnership opens up,” Eisler said.

The UICA/Kendall merger creates some unique prospects for Kendall students. Executive
director Miranda Krajniak expressed her excitement at the assistantship and internship
possibilities the merger has opened up. “I have already written up a proposal for
how Kendall students can get involved at UICA. Having that solid arts administration
experience on your resume will be very attractive to lots of different kinds of employers.”